IEM Cologne Play-in bracket and groups released

In two weeks’ time, the world’s best teams will travel to Cologne, Germany to compete in the famous IEM Cologne LAN event.

Fighting for a massive $1,000,000 prize pool, 24 teams will be competing for the lions share of the prize.

The first stage of the tournament will commence with the Play-in where 16 teams will fight to earn a place in the group stage. However, only 8 of the 16 teams will progress, through the means of a double-elimination bracket.

Below are the first matchups and the 16 teams competing in the Play-in:

 Heroic vs.  Sprout
 MOUZ vs.  paiN
 Spirit vs.  Complexity
 00NATION vs.  Astralis
 BIG vs.  ORDER
 Outsiders vs.  Imperial
 MIBR vs.  Movistar Riders
 TYLOO vs.  Vitality

Awaiting these teams are the 8 who are already in the group stage, split into two groups.

Group A:

Group B:

The prize pool distribution is as follows:

1st  $400,000

2nd $180,000

3-4th $80,000

5-6th $40,000

7-8th $24,000

9-12th $16,000

13-16th $10,000

We start with 24 teams at #IEM Cologne but just one will lift the trophy ?

?16 teams in the Play-In Stage – 8 advance to groups
?8 more teams wait for them in Groups
?6 playoff teams fight it out in the Cathedral of Counter-Strike, July 15-17!

Here are the opening brackets! pic.twitter.com/fvSX32ryS9

— Intel® Extreme Masters (@IEM) June 23, 2022